Haydn: String Quartets Opp 77, 42 & 103

Advantages: Exciting and moving performance, fine singers, orchestra and conductor
Disadvantages: None really

...-excited exuberance of a puppy that has treed its first cat! Background: Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) enjoyed a prolific and highly successful career composing in a wide variety of genres from opera to piano sonatas and is widely regarded to have fine-tuned the Classical Style in his string quartets and symphonies. When Haydn started composing "Die Schoepfung" (The Creation in English) in 1786 he had returned to Vienna after a highly successful time in England where his music was feted by everyone from the King downwards. He was now at the height of his powers, with a doctorate from Oxford University in his pocket and was certainly very aware of the commercial value of his music having made a substantial amount of money in England. From the copious archived documentation, we can read that Haydn felt there was nothing more he could say... Read review

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Advantages: Pleasant melodies, good structure
Disadvantages: not terribly adventurous in harmony

...Franz Joseph Haydn's music is interesting as it is pleasant to listen to. Although he is actually Austrian, most of Haydn's music was written in Hungary for Prince Esterhazy's twice weekly dinner parties. Which meant that many of Haydn's symphonies and string quartets were written in less than four days - quite an achievement, when you consider the length of time his contemporaries spent writing similar works. Haydn wrote and conducted high standard early classical style classics for a small group of musicians who were employed by the Prince. And it is in many of Haydn's pieces that we can begin to have an insight into the life of him and his musicians. For example, the "Surprise Symphony" was written with the party gusts in mind. It begins in a plodding, slow mesmerising rhythm, which the already bloated and drowsy guests... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent recording and product
Disadvantages: Pricey - but very much worth every penny!

...I am the proud owner of this recording and it has pride of place in my collection. There's a lot to say about this, so I will hopefully cover as much as I can! HAYDN Franz Joseph Haydn is the father of classical music in its true sense. He lived in Austria between 1732 and 1809, and invented the symphony and the string quartet. during his life, he composed over 100 symphonies, and dozens of other works, including concertos, string quartets, quintets, chamber music, masses and oratorios. Haydn was a religious person, and it may be because of this that his greatest works include masses and oratorios (religious themes set to music). There is so much to say about him, but more information can be found on various websites and books. THE ORCHESTRA AND PERIOD MUSIC The work is performed by the Academy of Ancient Music... Read review

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